Love South America? Try these amazing places of interest!

South America is a captivating place to travel – one Lonely Planet writer warns that once you visit, it’s a “lifetime addiction.” The buzzing cities, spectacular landscapes and one-of-a-kind places of interest will have you always wanting to come back. But where do you visit first? I’ve picked five of my favourite spots that will make you fall in love with South America.

They are all unique, and offer something different for various types of travellers – so check them out:

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1) Galapagos Islands

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Only on the Galapagos Islands can you come eye-to-eye with some of the world’s most unique animals – including blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises. It’s a bucket list location and for good reason. You’ll have numerous up-close experiences with creatures in their natural habitat.

To preserve the archipelago, access to the National Park is limited and – rightly so – there are strict guidelines to how many people can visit, when and in what size ship. You should carefully plan if you want to visit this amazing place of interest.

2) Lost City, Colombia

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Been to Machu Picchu in Peru? Wished you got there before all the tourists did? Then the Secret Traveller says you should get to Ciudad Perdida in Colombia as soon as possible. Also known as the lost city, it was built by the Tayrona people in the 11th century, and was only rediscovered deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains in the 1970s.

It remains relatively undiscovered by the hordes – perhaps because the only way to get there is to hike. Nevertheless, your end destination is a stunning location high in the hills.

3) Buenos Aires, Argentina

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South America isn’t just about breathtaking scenery. Although it sure has an abundance of that, the region’s cities have a lot to offer too. In Buenos Aires, it’s not uncommon to see an impromptu tango show on the street, you can try the best steaks in the world, visit Evita Peron’s ornate mausoleum, taste the creamiest gelato, or indulge in the nightlife until dawn.

And they’re just a few of the reasons to visit the city – check out more, and you’ll be booking your flight in no time.

4) Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

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Bolivia is home to the world’s largest salt flat. But what’s so special about that? It’s a vast desert that acts like a giant mirror, reflecting whatever’s on the surface – or just the sky. It’s an awe-inspiring place, but if you don’t believe us, you should take a look at these amazing photos of Salar de Uyuni.

5) Angel Falls, Venezuala

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Last but not least, I’ve chosen Angel Falls – the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, which plunges over 800 metres. Just getting there is an adventure! The starting point is a little town called Canaima, where you’ll probably have to fly to on a tiny plane that moves around a lot.

When you arrive, you’ve got to take a boat upriver for more than three hours to reach to Angel Falls. Only the guides know the way, so it makes sense to make your way through the protected reserve with their expertise. I promise you the journey is worth it!

Image via Commons Wikimedia by Luis Carillo

*** I adhere to keep transparency with my fellow readers – this is a sponsored post.

South America is full of amazing wonders – the list is just a taster of what you can experience. If you’ve visited the region before, share your suggestions with me in the comment section below!

About the author

Holly is an avid traveller, having visited all corners of the globe – from South America to East Asia, to Australia. Of all the continents visited, South America stands out as a firm favourite, with iconic locations and breath-taking sights. There’s nothing Holly enjoys more than grabbing her backpack and exploring new destinations, particularly where few tourists tend to trek.